Antique Folk Art. Pennsylvania German Children's Watercolor Bird Painted On Verso of Ledger Paper

Peggy McClard Antiques

Americana & Folk Art

Great children's drawing from the Pennsylvania Germans. In the 18th and 19th centuries, paper was such a luxurious necessity that children often recycled used paper from their parents. The recycled paper was often used for art, painting or drawing lessons in school. In this case, the whimsical short, stout bird of salmon and blue-green watercolor was painted on the back of Dad's store ledger, complete with German writing (see scan of back). The watercolor is lightly floated (with archival tape) onto acid-free paper that is, in turn, laid onto (with acid-free glue) to beautiful paper that has been hand-marbled in the same manner as it has been since the 16th century. Marbled paper was very popular in 18th and 19th century America. This wonderful folk art package is then framed behind a gloriously swirled piece of early glass placed into a period bird's eye maple frame with a very early finish. Framed size 10" x 8 1/8". 19th century

(#2646) $850